The Anthony Seibold reign has already resulted in Kangaroos lock Josh McGuire departing, with question marks hovering over the long-term playing futures of some big names at Red Hill.
Jack Bird and Matt Gillett are both likely return to the starting 13 after injury-wrecked 2018 campaigns, with Jordan Kahu's centre spot under pressure from Bird. Alex Glenn, Darius Boyd and Kodi Nikorima need big seasons to hold their spots as Brisbane's young brigade pushes to rise up the pecking order.
McGuire, Sam Thaiday, and Korbin Sims leave big holes in the pack but a battery of up-and-coming forwards ensure the Broncos remain well-stocked in this department with the likes of Tevita Pangai jnr, Jaydn Su'A, David Fifita and Payne Haas set to be key men in the Brisbane pack next season.
Resident NRL.com expert Jamie Soward says:
"Jack Bird, you throw him straight in the 13. Tevita Pangai jnr, you leave him on an edge with Matt Gillett and Alex Glenn goes to the bench and comes in for that utility-centre role. You get that Wade Graham type role on one edge with Matt Gillett, the raw power of Pangai on the other edge and the ball playing through the middle with Bird.
"The Broncos need to capitalise on some of these guys they paid big money for, throw Bird into 13 and leave Tevita on an edge. He doesn't have to think too much with his attack, you saw what he did to some halves this year."
NRL.com's predicted Round 1 team:
- Darius Boyd
- Corey Oates
- Jack Bird
- James Roberts
- Jamayne Isaako
- Anthony Milford
- Kodi Nikorima
- Matt Lodge
- Andrew McCullough
- Joseph Ofahengaue
- Alex Glenn
- Matt Gillett
- Tevita Pangai jnr
- Jaydn Su'A
- David Fifita
- Payne Haas
- Kotoni Staggs
Other squad members: Patrick Carrigan, Troy Dargan, George Fai, Thomas Flegler, Jordan Kahu, Patrick Mago, Sean O'Sullivan, Andre Savelio, Gehamat Shibasaki, Myles Taueli, Sam Tagataese
